Defense & Strategic Studies (DSS) is an interdisciplinary major focused on understanding conflict, war, security, and defense by emphasizing a wide array of methodological approaches from the fields of military science, political science, international relations, economics, history, anthropology, and sociology to frame and analyze national and international security issues. Graduates are well-versed in the geographic security areas of interest to the Nation such as Africa, the South China Sea, Eastern Europe, the Arctic, the Middle East, and South America.
DSS Cadets visit the Estonian Parliament during their AIAD
Battle of the Blue Hills Staff Ride
The Most Professionally Relevant Major
3rd Most Popular Major at West Point
Pursue Your Passion!
Faculty Development Opportunities
Saratoga and Fort Ticonderoga, NY
DSS Cadets Engage Former SECDEF, Dr. Mark Esper
DSS Supports CST 2022
DSS Awarded Best Interdisciplinary Capstone in 2022
Tons of Summer Internship Opportunities!
Class of 2026 Majors Fair!
Major Matt McClary Briefs the Future of DSS
DSS Lecture Series: Drones and Global OrderGuest Lecturer:
LTC Paul Lushenko, PhD (January 2023)
War on the Rocks is a platform for analysis, commentary, and debate on foreign policy and national security issues through a realist lens. It features articles and podcasts, some open access. It can be accessed on the USMA Library database list.
